Chloroethane
Chloroethane is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Chemical identity and properties

Chloroethane
Chloroethane is the simplest and least toxic member of the class of chloroethanes, that is ethane in which a single hydrogen is substituted by a chlorine. A colourless gas at room temperature and pressure (boiling point 12C), it is used as a mild topical anaesthetic to numb the skin prior to ear piercing, skin biopsies, etc., and is also used in the treatment of sports injuries. It was formerly used in the production of tetraethyllead. It has a role as a local anaesthetic, an inhalation anaesthetic and an antipruritic drug. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- chloroethane
- Molecular formula
- C2H5Cl
- Molecular weight
- 64.51 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 64.0079779 Da
- XLogP3
- 1.2
- Topological polar surface area
- 0.0 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 0
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:47554
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL46058
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID1020302
- PubMed:22736563
- PubMed:22685458
- PubMed:22629058
- PubMed:22621791
- PubMed:22511113
- PubMed:22460216
- PubMed:22458856
- PubMed:22454736
- PubMed:22336372
- PubMed:22319325
- PubMed:22293908
- PubMed:22286857
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
Chloroethane
Regulatory information
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 2 | ✓ | — | — |
Key data
Related records for Chloroethane
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
Chromium; chromic acid and its salts
Claviceps purpurea Tul., its alkaloids and galenical preparations
2-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-phenylacetyl]indan 1,3-dione (chlorophacinone - ISO)
Conium maculatum L. (fruit, powder, galenical preparations)
Colchicine, its salts and derivatives
What Annex II means for Chloroethane
Chloroethane is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.
Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.
The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
- Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
- Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
- This substance has CMR classification. Review the CMR table above and verify current Annex II/III status before use.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex II record Chloroethane
This page summarizes one Annex II record for Chloroethane from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for Chloroethane, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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